British Cycling supremo Dave Brailsford warned brain drain ‘inevitable’ after stunning London Olympics but he remains upbeat over changes in governing body

BRITISH Cycling supremo Dave Brailsford has warned that a brain drain from the governing body is “inevitable” after its stunning success at the London Olympics and confirmed that Chris Froome is set to lead Team Sky’s bid for next year’s Tour de France.

BRITISH Cycling supremo Dave Brailsford has warned that a brain drain from the governing body is “inevitable” after its stunning success at the London Olympics and confirmed that Chris Froome is set to lead Team Sky’s bid for next year’s Tour de France.

Froome had to play second fiddle in support of victorious team-mate Bradley Wiggins during this year’s tour, sometimes to his obvious frustration, but he will be the man in the saddle next year under Brailsford’s plan.

Team Sky boss Brailsford is also British Cycling’s performance director and he admitted the poaching of top staff has to be expected after the success of the London Olympics – but that it could help the organisation stay at the top.

In relation to Sky, Brailsford said Wiggins is set to focus on the Giro d’Italia.

Brailsford, speaking to reporters at UK Sport’s world class performance conference in Leeds, said: “We are just getting back into training now and need to do quite a lot of planning.

“But it does look as though the plan going into next year, which has still not completely been signed off, is that the Tour of Italy would be a very good target for Bradley and leave Froomy then to focus on the Tour de France.”

In relation to British Cycling, some of the organisation’s top people have been poached by other sports keen to replicate their success.

Three have gone to the Rugby Football Union – including this month the head of marginal gains Matt Parker, who worked closely with Wiggins – while psychologist Steve Peters has been snapped up by UK Athletics, though he will retain some involvement with cycling.

Brailsford insisted their replacements would bring new thinking into British Cycling and move the organisation forward. He added: “It’s inevitable, but it means you get fresh people and new ideas.”